Representing the 2nd District of South Carolina

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Rep. Wilson - "North Korea will only respond to strength"

Rep. Wilson Speaks on House Floor in Support of Sanctions on North Korea

Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) spoke on the House Floor this afternoon in support of H.R. 1644, the Korean Interdiction and Modernization of Sanctions Act. An excerpt from his remarks follows:

“After eight years of “strategic patience,” I appreciate the strong leadership of President Trump and his Administration, with the Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

“It is clear that the regime in North Korea will only respond to strength—and this sanctions package would effectively target the regime and any other individuals who would do business with North Korea, especially in the shipping and financial industries.”

Thank you Chairman Ed Royce for yielding. I appreciate your determined leadership on this important issue of national security, protecting American families.

I am in strong support of H.R. 1644, the Korean Interdiction and Modernization of Sanctions Act. In 2003, I traveled to North Korea with Ranking Member Eliot Engel, a bipartisan delegation, where we saw first-hand the tyranny and oppression of the communist regime.

Last month, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed H. Res. 92, a bipartisan resolution I introduced condemning the regime in North Korea for their recent ballistic missiles and calling for the consideration of all available sanctions. Since then, North Korea has continued testing missiles and released yet another propaganda video—this one simulating the destruction of American troops, aircraft, warships, and even the U.S. Capitol building.

After eight years of “strategic patience” I appreciate the strong leadership of President Trump and his Administration, with the Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley and the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

It is clear that the regime in North Korea will only respond to strength—and this sanctions package would effectively target the regime and any other individuals who would do business with North Korea, especially in the shipping and financial industries.

I appreciate the extraordinary leadership of Chairman Ed Royce and Ranking Member Eliot Engel on this legislation, and urge my colleagues to vote in support.